Archive for the ‘ernie clement’ tag

The 2017 MLB rule-4 (Amateur) draftstarts 6/12/17 at 7pm. The MLB Network will have full coverage of the first round of picks. This post is my dumping ground of draft coverage for 2017.

This post uses last year’s format, with links to use to see draft prospect rankings, links to help cover the draft (which I personally come back to time and time again), some blurbs on local players of interest, and then links to a bunch of mock drafts.

MinorLeagueBall.com’s 2017 Player profile index; an index of their profiles of all the top-end draft prospects for this year.

Here’s a slew of Draft Prospect rankings : these are NOT the same as mock drafts; these are independent rankings of the players without consideration to draft considerations. Apologies in advance; many of these are insider/subscription. Fork over the dollars and subscribe and support baseball coverage that you like!

Notice how nearly EVERY list has Greene as the best prospect in this draft? That’s pretty consistent view … but there’s no chance that Greene goes #1 overall. So thanks to the perverse risks associated with drafting prep kids, yet again we will likely see the best prospect not getting taken #1 overall. This seems to happen nearly every year since the Strasburg/Harper drafts. In 2011, Gerrit Cole went 1-1 when Anthony Rendon should have been. In 2012 i think the “right guy” went 1-1 (Carlos Correa). Imagine the Astros right now had they taken Kris Bryant instead of Mark Appel (who didn’t sign and who has yet to matriculate to the majors) in 2013 1-1 overall. Brady Aiken 1-1 overall in 2014 was defensible at the time … but Carlos Rodon was the presumed 1-1 heading into the spring season. I don’t think anyone disputes the Dansby Swanson 1-1 pick in 2015 (it was a weak class), but few think that Mickey Moniak was the best prospect in the 2016 class (most had it as Jason Groome or Riley Pint; Groome fell to 12th thanks to some off-the-field stuff and is now hurt while Pint is struggling in low-A). So its good to be the 2nd team picking this year.

Now, some news about CollegePlayers with local ties who are serious draft candidates (meaning first couple of rounds projected or present on top 100 draft ranking lists). Note that I’ve got a far, far larger list of local players that I’ll follow-up on after the draft; these are just the significant/top 10 round types.

J.B. Bukauskas: has had a fantastic junior season and has become perhaps the 2nd best collegiate pitcher this class. Still undersized … but there are some 6’0″ guys with success in the majors right now.

Adam Haseley: has rocketed up draft boards by being perhaps the 2nd best two way player in college baseball. Upper 1st round talent.

Pavin Smith: 1B only but a sweet, solid bat. Upper 1st round talent.

At this point, all three of these players are projecting in the first half of the first round; no other local player seems close. There’s a slew of other local college kids mentioned in the BA top 200, which means they’re all likely 5th-8th round material.

Local Prep players of note who are serious draft candidates: none this year. Unlike last year, where Joe Rizzo and Khalil Lee both were top 5 round picks, there’s nobody anywhere in the DC/MD/VA landscape that is threatening to be a top-end prep pick (at least as far as I can tell right now).

Nats Re-Draft players of interest: these are guys who the Nats have previously drafted but who did not sign. Using the Nats Draft Tracker as a guide, here’s some prep guys we drafted generally in 2014 who are now rising college juniors and are bigger names in this draft:

Stuart Fairchild, OF from Wake Forest: we drafted him in the 38th round in 2014; he’s now perhaps projected mid 2nd round.

Evan Skoug, C from TCU: we drafted him in the 34th round in 2014; now he’s perhaps projected as a 3rd rounder.

Tommy Doyle, RHP from Flint Hill HS/UVA: we drafted him in the 35th round in 2014, probably as a hat-tip to a local kid more than a possible signee. He’s projected as a 6th rounder after a decent career at UVA coverting to relief.

Quinn Brodey, RHP from Stanford: we drafted him in the 37th round in 2016; now he’s perhaps a 6th-7th rounder projected.

Morgan Cooper: RHP from UTexas; we drafted him in the 34th round last year in 2016: he chose to stay in school to build value and now is projected as a 5th-6th rounder.

Tristan Clarke and Cory Voss: two Juco draftees from 2016 who are draft eligible for 2017. Clarke started for UNO and put up solid numbers, albeit in the weaker Southland conference. Voss only played part-time at UofA and isn’t a draft prospect.

Other Prep draftees in 2014 not mentioned here who are not draft prospects:

J.B. Bukauskas, three years after being a potential first round pick out of Stone Bridge in Ashburn, may be a top 10 pick in 2017 out of UNC. Photo via chapelboro.com

Hello all. I’ve been slacking on local high school and college coverage this season, partly because there’s not nearly as exciting of a class as last year (when the DC area had two guys picked in the first three rounds in Joe Rizzo and Khalil Lee, in addition to a HS all-american in Zach Hess down at Liberty Christian). But here’s a quick review of my 2017 Local Draft Prospect list. By “local” I generally mean anyone from DC, MD or VA, with a focus on DC-Metro kids.

This list has essentially turned into a massive “Best players from the area” list, with mention given to nearly every kid who has shown up on an accolades list in the last couple of years. Only a few of the prep kids are going to get drafted, but it is interesting to me to track where they’re going to school. Lots of these college commitments may be out of date; an early commit often turns into a rejection once college coaches see how their recruiting classes gel. So if I have a kid wrong, my apologies and let me know in the comments.

Major Local College Draft Prospects for 2017

This list started with my 2014 Local High School draft coverage, listing guys who were HS seniors in 2014 who went to 3-year programs and who are now eligible. Since we’ve augmented it with locally tied guys who have put themselves into draft positions by virtue of collegiate or summer league performances. I separate “major prospects” from the lower list in that these guys have usually gotten some sort of national press, top-100 list type of press, and are good bets all to get drafted in the first 5-6 rounds this coming June. The first few names are all being talked about as potential 1st rounders or 2nd rounders.

“Jacob” J.B. Bukauskus, RHP from UNC by way of Stone Bridge HS in Ashburn. A 2014 HS All American who chose to go to college. Spent 2016 as UNC’s saturday starter and blew up to the tune of a 13 K/9 rate his sophomore year. Projecting now as an upper 1st rounder. 2016 Collegiate National Team and briefly in the Cape. Projecting as possible top-10 pick. 2017 Pre-Season Collegiate Baseball All-American 2nd team.

Pavin Smith is a big lefty 1B/OF at UVA; he has been a significant member of the UVA lineup during his career. All-League Cape Cod league summer of 2016. Projecting as possible end-of-1st rounder. 2017 Pre-Season Collegiate Baseball All-American 2nd team, fantastic 2017 season now has him projecting as a possible top-10 pick.

Adam Haseley, OF/RHP from UVA. Great on the mound for UVA in 2016, worked solely in the field in Cape Cod League 2016. Projecting now as 2nd rounder. 2017 Pre-Season Collegiate Baseball All-American 2nd team. Like his teammate, Haseley’s 2017 season has put him in the upper first round territory.

From the top 3 guys here, there’s a gap to the next group:

Kevin Smith, INF From Maryland. Cape Cod league summer standout of 2016, being named MVP of the final and All-League. Projecting now as 2nd rounder.

Tyler Johnson RHP from South Carolina by way of Trinity Episcopal, Richmond. 8th/9th inning reliever for SC as a sophomore. 2016 Collegiate National Team. Projecting as 3rd/4th rounder.

Ernie Clement, 2b/SS from UVA. All League Cape Cod league summer of 2016. Big Cape showing now pushing his draft stock way up; possible 3rd rounder.

Hunter Williams LHP from UNC by way of Cosby HS in Chesterfield, VA. A mid-week starter in 2016, may move into the weekend rotation for 2017. Cape Cod league summer of 2016, where he posted a 1.10 era. Cape showing pushing him into 4th round discussions.

Tommy Doyle, RHP at UVA by way of Flint Hill HS (hometown: Vienna). Began 2016 as UVA’s Sunday starter, converted to be their closer by season’s end.

Brian Mims, 2B/SS UNC-Wilmington by way of Forest Park HS in Woodbridge: Multiple All-american honors as a sophomore in 2016. 2016 Collegiate National Team invitee

This list is defined as “lesser” prospects in that they’re not getting “first few rounds” publicity, but seem like in most cases draft candidates. I don’t mean to imply that “lesser” means they’re any less of a player; they’re just not getting “J.B. Bukauskas” hype. I’d guess most every name on this list will get called in June, some in the 6-8th round, perhaps others down in the 15-25th round range. Some may opt to forgo the draft bonus they’re offered and return for their senior season. Some are almost guaranteed to return thanks to injury or circumstance, but they’re all draft eligible this year.

Brian Shaffer, RHP at Maryland; on d1Bsaeball’s top 100 draft prospects lists, came out of nowhere.

Zach Rutherford, 2b/SS from ODU by way of Western Branch HS in Chesapeake VA. Undrafted as a junior in 2016. All-League Cape Cod league summer of 2016, which put him into 4th-5th round discussions.

Derek Casey, RHP from UVA by way of Hanover HS (Mechanicsville). Underwent Tommy John surgery early in his sophomore year and never appeared his junior year, so likely returns to school to be a 4th year junior draftee in 2017. However he’s draft eligible in 2017 and, if he has a great return season, he could put himself back in the conversation.

Taylor Lane, a shortstop from Chesapeake, transferred to IMG academy for college, went to Florida, transferred to Northwest Florida State and having a good 2016 season leading off for them.

Charlie Cody 3B from UVA by way of Great Bridge HS in Chesapeake. Not starting as a sophomore; more of a super sub.

Jeff “Junior” Harding went to Cambridge-South Dorchester here locally. He went to South Carolina, transferred to Chipola College in Florida, got drafted by KC in the 20th round last year. I’m not entirely sure if he signed; he may either be in KC’s system or be draft eligible again in 2016. Update: he got drafted again in 2017, in the 17th round, so no he didn’t sign last year.

Brodie Leftridge is an OF at U Tennessee by way of Highland MD/St. John’s HS in DC. Part-time player at UT his sophomore year.

Hunter Taylor, a C at South Carolina by way of Nandua HS in Olney, VA. Has barely played in 2016.

Bennett Sousa is a LHP from UVA; 2016 bullpen member, limited use.

Zach Clinton is a RHP from Liberty U by way of Liberty Christian HS. He’s not on their active stat sheet but still seems to be on the roster; I cannot tell where he is these days.

Zack Hopeck, RHP from Coastal Carolina by way of Heritage HS in Leesburg. Mid-week starter for CCU as a sophomore during their CWS run.

Canaan Cropper RHP from South Carolina by way of Salisbury HS. Minimal action as a sophomore.

Nick Brown: RHP William & Mary by way of Patriot HS in Gainesville, VA. Undrafted as a junior in 2016. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Logan Farrar: VCU by way of Woodbridge HS. Undrafted as a junior in 2016. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Ryan Selmer, RHP from Maryland by way of Riverdale Baptist HS (lives in Beltsville, MD). Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Robert Metz, 2b/SS from George Washington by way of Poolesville HS. Undrafted as a junior in 2016. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Gavin Sheets, 1B from Wake Forest by way of Gilman HS in Lutherville, MD. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Nicholas Dunn, INF from Maryland. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Kyle Adams, C from Richmond. Undrafted as a junior in 2016. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Joseph Freiday, C from Virginia Tech. Undrafted as a junior in 2016. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

D.J. Artis, OF from Liberty. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Chase Pinder, OF from Clemson by way of Poquoson HS. Cape Cod league summer of 2016. Hit 11 homers playing CF in sophomore year; could be a draft board riser.

Peter Soloman, RHP from Notre Dame by way of Mt. St. Josephs HS in Ellicott City, MD. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Jason Morgan, RHP from UNC by way of Chancellor HS in Fredericksburg, VA. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

Sam Sinnen, RHP from ODU by way of Kellam HS in Norfolk. Cape Cod league summer of 2016.

DC/MD/VA Local Prep players for 2017. It seems like its a “down” year for local prep players, especially compared to 2016 w/ Rizzo/Lee, but there’s still some very good prep players in the area. I’m sure we’ll see some draft fliers on some of the names towards the top of this list. Its tough to keep track of college commitments and I depend mostly on perfectgame.org, so if I have something wrong here definitely pipe up in the comments.

Kyle Whitten, RHP/1B from Osbourn Park in Manassas, VA. WWBA 2015 with Team Stars, 2016 Evoshield 17-U team. At the USA Baseball 18U national trials in June 2016 (and made 40-man roster). Early commit to UVA. Evoshield 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. PBR Class of 2017 top 10.

Tyler Solomon, C/1B from Battlefield HS in Haymarket, VA. 2015 WWBA Team Evoshield 17-U, 2016 All 6-A North Region 2nd team. 2016 Evoshield 17-U team. At PG National 2016. At the USA Baseball 18U national trials in June 2016. Early commit to Vanderbilt. Evoshield 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. All PBR DC/VA team 2016. PBR Class of 2017 top 10. Area Code Games 2016. WWBA 2016 with Evoshield.

Austine Jeremy Arocho, SS from Old Mill HS in Glen Burnie, MD. 2015 WWBA Team Evoshield 17-U, 2016 Evoshield 17-U team. At PG National 2016. 18U National team trials. Evoshield 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. Area Code Games 2016. WWBA 2016 with Evoshield. Was early commit to Maryland, Now committed to Northwest Florida State College.

Anthony Simonelli RHP from Millbrook in Winchester, VA. WWBA 2015 with Team Stars. All 4A West 2016 as a junior. VHSL 4A 2nd team all-state as a junior. At PG National 2016. Early commit to Coastal Carolina. Stars 17u Reds at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. All PBR DC/VA team 2016. PBR Class of 2017 top 10. WWBA with Stars baseball 2017.

Michael Ludowig, OF from Briar Woods. 2016 All-5A North Region as a junior. Evoshield Canes 16-U team 2016, early commit to Wake Forest. Evoshield Mid-Atlantic 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. PBR Class of 2017 top 10.

Connor Hartigan, OF from Millbrook in Winchester, VA. WWBA 2015 with Team Stars. All 4A West 2016 as a junior. VHSL 4A 2nd team all-state as a junior. At PG National 2016. Stars 17u Reds at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. Was Early commit to Coastal Carolina, now committed to University of South Carolina-Sumter.

Harold Cortijo, OF/RHP from Riverdale Baptist. 2016 all-Met as a junior. 2016 American Family All-Maryland 1st team as a junior. No summer team. Early commit to Seminole State College of Florida. Huge 2017 put him on the map as Maryland gatorade player of the year.

Extended DC/MD/VA Prep players (outside DC Area) on the radar. Most of these players are south of here, from Richmond or the Tidewater area. There’s good baseball down south.

Matt Cooper, C/1B from Norfolk Academy. 2016 VISAA Division I all-state. 2016 Evoshield 17-U team. At PG National 2016. Early commit to Clemson. 2nd Team all-Tidewater 2016 as a junior. American Family 2016 1st team All-Virginia as a junior. Evoshield 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. All PBR DC/VA team 2016. PBR Class of 2017 top 10. Area Code Games 2016.

Tanner Morris, MIF from St Anne’s-Belfield HS/Miller School of Albemarle. 2015 WWBA Team Evoshield 17-U, VISAA A All-State 2016. 2016 VISAA Division II all-state. 2016 Evoshield 17-U team. At PG National 2016. Early commit to UVA. American Family 2016 1st team All-Virginia as a junior. Evoshield 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. All PBR DC/VA team 2016. PBR Class of 2017 top 10. Area Code Games 2016. WWBA 2016 with Evoshield. BA Top 100 list #78 (only local player on list).

Hunter “Will” Perdue, RHP/1B from Grassfield HS in Chesapeake, VA. 2015 WWBA with Richmond Braves, early commit to UVA. 2nd Team all-Tidewater 2016 as a junior. American Family 2016 1st team All-Virginia as a junior. Richmond Braves 17u Jones at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. PBR Class of 2017 top 10. WWBA 2016 with Evoshield.

Michael Schmidt, ? position from Jamestown (Williamsburg). #2 starter on great 2016 team.

Jarrid Johnson, ? position from Nansemond River. Starter on good 2016 team.

Harrison Moncure, RHP for Mills Godwin. Starter on good 2016 team.

Cale Agee, 2B from Louisa. 4A East All-Region 2016 as a junior. VHSL 4A all-state as a junior.

Aaron Robinson, C from Monacan. 4A East All-Region 2016 as a junior. VHSL 4A 2nd team all-state as a junior. Virginia Cardinals summer of 2016. 2nd-team 2016 all Richmond metro as a junior.

Matthew Culbreath, 3B from Dinwiddie. 4A East All-Region 2016 as a junior. VHSL 4A 2nd team all-state as a junior.

Matt Carter, Util from Caroline HS. 4A East All-Region 2016 as a junior. VHSL 4A 2nd team all-state as a junior.

Matt Pinson, RHP from Maggie Walker HS. VHSL 2A player of the year as a junior. 2nd-team 2016 all Richmond metro as a junior. All PBR DC/VA team 2016.

Hunter Gregory, RHP from Hickory HS. VHSL 2016 2nd team All-5A State as a junior. All-Tidewater 2016 as a junior.

Tyler Knapp, Util from Menchville HS. VHSL 2016 2nd team All-5A State as a junior.

Riley Clifford, 2b/SS from First Colonial HS. All-Tidewater 2016 as a junior.

Rufus Hurdle, OF from Western Branch HS. All-Tidewater 2016 as a junior. All 6-A South Region and all 6-A State as a junior.

Hogan Brown, OF from Cox. 2nd Team all-Tidewater 2016 as a junior.

Alec Giles, OF from First Colonial. 2nd Team all-Tidewater 2016 as a junior.

Dalton Jackson, 1B from Great Bridge. 2nd Team all-Tidewater 2016 as a junior.

Logan Barker, 2B from Colonial Forge. First team All 6-A south region 2016, 1st team All 6-A State as a junior. Evoshield North 17U team at 2016 Marietta/Cobb. Early commit to Marshall U. All PBR DC/VA team 2016.

TCU Baseball is pre-season #1 team in the land. My father in law (a TCU alum) would be proud.

I know pitchers and catchers just reported … but its also the kick off of the Collegiate Baseball Season. And I like following college baseball; after all, its where the Nats get all of their draft picks!

The first games of the new season start on 2/17/17. Here’s a quick post to publish some links of interest and high light some local teams as we kick off the new season.

So, why is TCU #1 across the board? Because they return practically everyone from last year’s team, which made the CWS, and they add to it a good recruiting class that includes the highest 2016 draftee not to sign in Nick Lodolo. They have a pre-season All-American starter in Brian Howard and an early easy pick for player of the year in Luken Baker, who took the sport by storm last year as a freshman, hitting .379 and destroying pitching in the post-season.

Florida is in everyone’s top 5 thanks to their pitching depth and high-end talent (despite multiple 1st rounders drafted off of last year’s team they return another weekend starter who is in talks to go 1-1 overall in Alex Faedo. LSU, Florida State and South Carolina return their typical strong teams.

There’s a ton of teams in the Carolinas getting top 25 attention. This should make the ACC and SEC league play as interesting as always. Locally UVA and UMD getting back of the rankings recognition, though I suspect both teams may struggle to keep up with the level of play they’ve established over the last few years in the face of better competition south.

Pre-Season All-America Lists with Local players noted: (i’ll backfill those that havn’t published as of the publication of this initially)

I’ve highlighted mostly players with DC/MV/VA ties here but its worth noting there are several big-time names on every one of these lists. When we do the draft previews you’ll see all the big names for the 2017 draft who are also at the top of these pre-season all-american lists: Jeren Kendall, Brendan McKay, Alex Faedo, Alex Lange, Kyle Wright primarily. However there’s two sophomores who may be set to go 1-2 already in the 2018 draft: Seth Beer and Luken Baker. Both had monster freshman years at the plate and should both be in the mix for the College player of the year in 2017.

Major College Site Index/Home pages; landing/jump pages for coverage at the major sites covering the game.

UVA: at the Citadel tournament in Charleston, SC, playing Liberty, The Citadel and Kansas. A UVA-buddy of mine sent me this link where UVA set their weekend rotation: it looks to me like they’re playing match-ups because I can’t imagine a pre-season All-American like Haseley being their #3 starter.